The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1887-08-11
AN ADDRESS
To The Friends of Prohibition In
MississIppI.

1t is my pleasure 10 report TO you
the rapid aud healthful progress OF
our cause throughout the State.
Our recent State Convention was
large aud acknowledgements
tive Of the best citizenship of Mis-
sissippi. While there we're reason
able differences of opinion upon
minor matters of policy, there was
absolute unanimity on all questions
of principle, and a lofty patriotism
inspired the whole proceedings.
We enter upon the work before US
with a stronger column, a better or
ganizstioD, and brighter hopes OF
speedy triumph, than one year ago.
The operation of our admirable
local option law, compelling agita,
ton, has strengthened prohibition
sentiment and multiplied faithful
friends, until we stand up to day an
exceeding great army. Let
tiers received since the adj
tournament of the State Con-
vention, give assurance that the
principles of prohibition are gaining
substantial ground in the upper
river counties. Large planters,
hitherto indifferent. are convinced
that the agricultural interests Of
the delta, cannot endure the demon
alization of the whisky traffic.
Intelligent conviction son this
question is growing, also, among the
colored people. Their ministers of
religion. and teachers of the day
schools, are enlisted in opposition to
this most inveterate and insatiate
foe efstheir race. We hail them as
valued co-workers in this great NOR
al reform.
The news from Texas is in no
sense discouragiug. The battle has
not ended, but only begun. This
was merely the first skirmish be-
tokening struggle that will in the
end triumphantly wave the white
banner over every home in the Lone
Star State. The issue was precipi-
tated by the enemies Of prohibition
Its friends courageously took up the
guage Of battle, and though at no
time hopeful of immediate victory,
succeeded in modelling an army
that will never retreat or surrender.
The one hundred and forty thou
sand freemen who voted for God,
home and native land" will never
deny, compromise or falsify their
splendid record. They are more
determined to-day than before the
4th of August. Men of principle
never falter though they fail-Mor-
al reforms never 60 backward how
ever fielcely opposed. Eliminating
the nearly forty thousand foreign
votes cast almost solidly against the
amendment and the two-thirds OF
the eighty thousand colored votes
claimed by the anti-prohibitionists,
and the fact is revealed that ma
jority Of the native white population
cast their BALLOTS tor constitutional
protection against the matches
evil Of the age. The election, there
fore, is only clarion call to duty
and u sure prophecy of glorious
victory. The colored people will
never again be so largely influenced
to vote for whisky and every day 8
agitation will add recruits to the
army of reform.
In view of the magnificent
struggle in Texas and the grand
work achieved in our own State, l
greet every friend of prohibition
with words of cheer. Mississippi is
destined, in the near future, to be
come one of the most solid prohibi-
tion states in the Union. Patient
persistency of purpose, uncompro-
missing loyalty TO conviction. and
sublime devotion to duty, will re-
deem our beloved commonwealth
from the curse of the open sa-
loon.
CHAs. b GALLOWAY,
Chairman State Pro. Ex. Com.
August 9th. 1887.